The $3,000 Bin and More
Here we have Lee Morgan Volume 3, Blue Note 1557. This was another one of those records from the recent and ongoing auctions from the seller Carolina Soul. This was an original West 63rd Street pressing that was in VG+ condition for the record and VG- for the cover. The front and back of the cover were signed by Benny Golson, who plays tenor on the record and wrote the compositions and arrangements. I’m not sure if the presence of the signature adds or detracts from the interest in the record from collectors. This copy sold for $1,259.56. The Benny Golson signature reminded me of the Steven Spielberg “The Terminal” with Tom Hanks, in which a Benny Golson autograph plays a prominent role, believe it or not. If the record had been signed by Lee Morgan, it would have gotten a lot more interest, right? Perhaps even in the $3,000 bin like this one. Tubby Hayes Quintet, After Lights Out, Tempo TAP 6. This was an original British pressing that looked to be in M- condition for the record and VG++ or VG+ for the cover. The final price was about $3,210.
Here are a few jazz vinyl auctions I’m watching that will close this week:
Beverly Kenney Sings With Jimmy Jones and the Basie-Ites, Roost 2218. This is an original pressing listed in EX condition for the record and VG for the cover. The start price is $400 and so far there are no bidders.
Pete LaRoca, Basra, Blue Note 4205. This is an original New York USA pressing listed in VG+ condition for both the record and the cover. The bidding is already in the $750 range.
Zoot Sims – Bob Brookmeyer Octet, Stretching Out, United Artists 4023. This looks to be an original red label mono pressing. The record is listed in M- condition and the cover is Ex. I’ve had this record for years and it wasn’t until I began typing this and looked at the back cover that I realized Brookmeyer was a co-leader of the date. I just assumed it was Zoot and Al Cohn.
I’d like to get a sharp copy of that Zoot but the seller describes the cover as having no edge wear and a NM back cover yet I can clearly see spine flaking and ring wear. The record looks nice but I’m not super confident about the grading.
Had a stone mint promo copy of this stretched out one. Sold it and can’t remember when or why…
the seller of Basra has some really nice items — that Joe Harriott will do some wallet damage for sure.
I wonder if some sellers even bother to do market research. On that Zoot, he’s got a $199 starting bid (only one mono copy has broken $100 in the past four years), while another seller has an original stereo copy in what looks like comparable condition for just $49.99 buy it now. The dude is basically wasting his time (or counting on a very uneducated buyer to come along).
I adore Benny Golson. Dude was a master small group arranger. He never lets me down. That being said, I am very glad that the world of jazz autographs is more relaxed.
My father has some baseball memorabilia that he inherited from my grandfather that he is trying to slowly sell, and the authentication process is a nightmare. We had a guy claim our Brooks Robinson autographed ball was fake, and so we had to show him our original 70’s home video of Robinson signing the damn thing, complete with my father and grandfather IN THE VIDEO, and the autograph clearly visible. He STILL thinks it’s a fake.
Whoever wins Stretching Out at the opening price is getting an incredible deal.
Agreed Japhy, selling prices for that Zoot are a bit bipolar. It either goes for $15 or $100 in similar condition. Only on rare occasions has it come close to or exceeded the asking price here, so no deal to be had in my opinion.
My first born…(son)…was born to a cd rip of that Zoot lp!!!